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May 03, 2006

Minnesota and Paraguay Wrap Up Credit Union Exchange Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Edgar Alejandro
Viveros
Barboza and Maria del Carmen Gonzalez Cameron
boarded an airplane and returned to Paraguay on
April 22 after visiting Minnesota for more than
two weeks, taking part in a credit union exchange
program. The exchange was coordinated by the
Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the
Paraguayan credit union organization Central de
Cooperativas del Area Nacional Ltda. (CENCOPAN),
who were partnered in 2004 through the World
Council of Credit Union's International
Partnership Program.

Edgar Alejandro Viveros learning at SouthPoint FCU

Early on in the partnership, technology was
identified as a major area of focus. Barboza and
Cameron both work within the IT department at
Cooperativa Universitaria, the largest credit
union in Paraguay.

After meeting with MnCUN and Mid-States
Corporate
Federal Credit Union employees and attending the
MnCUN Annual Meeting & Convention, Barboza and
Cameron each spent one week at two Minnesota
credit unions to learn about American credit
union technology operations. During that time,
they were lodged with host families.

"I feel that this was a very successful
program
and was a great 'next step' in our partnership
with CENCOPAN," said Dana Hofmann-Geye, MnCUN
Executive Vice President & General Counsel. "I
look forward to the second part of the exchange
this fall, as we continue our mutually beneficial
relationship."

Dick Nesvold, President/CEO of SouthPoint FCU,
was impressed with Barboza's knowledge of IT,
which allowed SouthPoint to cover complex issues
during the visit. Barboza even gave SouthPoint's
Vice President of Operations a 46-item
questionnaire to determine how and why the credit
union selected its various vendors.

"To see the extent of our use of technology
gave
Alex a great perspective on how much more they
can utilize it in Paraguay," Nesvold said,
calling the exchange an overwhelming success. "He
learned a lot, and the opportunity also gave us a
chance to step back and evaluate our past and
present technology operations."

During the SouthPoint visit, they discussed
Microsoft Windows, server/network set-up,
internet security, external threats, and how to
mitigate risk. The credit union also spent a
great deal of time covering IT policies and
procedures, system upgrades, and communication
between and within branches.

Barboza thought the most beneficial aspect of
the
visit was seeing how U.S. credit unions use
technology and the various types of equipment
they employ. Upon returning to Paraguay, he hopes
to implement internet technology and security
policies within Cooperativa Universitaria's IT
department.

During Cameron's first week of the exchange,
she
visited Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union in
Falcon Heights, followed by Postal Credit Union
in St. Paul for week 2.

"I enjoyed learning about the technology used
at
Minnesota credit unions, and most importantly,
meeting the amazing people. It was an incredible
experience," Cameron said. "It was beneficial to
make contact with the technology administrators
to be able to compare it with how we do things in
Paraguay.

"The exchange helped me grow professionally
and
improve my English," she added. "The whole
experience was an investment for me and for
Paraguay."

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.